(FRANKLIN) - Authorities in Bartholomew and Johnson counties have beefed up police patrols following a rash of home invasions and car break-ins. Johnson County Sheriff Dog Cox says burglaries are up countywide.

He says within in the past couple of weeks, they've had two home invasions on the east and west side of Franklin.

Cox says in both cases, the home owners returned home and found the suspects inside. An elderly victim was slightly hurt in a scuffle with suspects.

Meantime, Columbus Police Department's Sgt. Matt Harris says in the past few months, they've seen a 50-percent jump in car break-ins across the city.

Some blame the rise on the economy. Harris says crooks have been stripping cars and selling off parts.

He says crooks are hitting both residential areas and parking lots of businesses. Harris says motorists can often prevent break-ins by removing valuables from the vehicles, making sure they're locked and not keeping engines running with vehicles unoccupied.

Harris says they have a couple of suspects, but are investigating many other incidents.